The discourse "On the Name 'Cemetery' and on the Cross of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ" is believed to have been delivered by Saint John Chrysostom on Great Friday in 392.
Though this homily is most suitable for Great Friday, in the Russian Church it is traditionally read during the services for the Tuesday of Saint Thomas, since on this day Radonitsa is celebrated, where families gather in cemeteries to commemorate their departed after Bright Week in the joy of the Resurrection of Christ. In this particular homily, Chrysostom explains why the place where we bury our loved ones who have reposed is called a cemetery, a place of sleep or repose (koimêtêrion in Greek), and not as it was formerly, a necropolis, that is, a city of the dead, or a graveyard.
Homily on the Name 'Cemetery' and on the Cross of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ
By St. John Chrysostom
1. Often I have pondered within myself why our fathers, having made the rounds of the houses of prayer in the cities, established that today they should gather outside the city, and here (perform divine services); for it seems to me that they did it not in vain, and not without reason. I sought the reason, and by the grace of God, I found a justification that is fair, well-founded, and fitting for the present feast. What is this reason? We commemorate the cross; and the One crucified on the cross was crucified outside the city: hence, we are brought outside the city. It is said in Scripture, "The sheep follow the shepherd;" where the king is, there are the soldiers, and where the corpse is, there the eagles will be gathered. Therefore, we gather outside the city – but let us first demonstrate from Sacred Scripture that this is indeed the case. So that you do not think this is merely our conjecture, I will call upon Paul as a witness. What does he say about sacrifices? "For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burned outside the camp" (Hebrews 13:11). Thus, Jesus also suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people by His own blood. Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. This is what Paul said; we have obeyed and have gone out. Therefore, we gather outside (the city) for this reason. But why specifically in this temple of martyrs, rather than in any other? By God's grace, our city is surrounded on all sides by the relics of the saints. Why is it here specifically, and not in another temple of martyrs, that the fathers commanded us to gather? Because here rests a multitude of the deceased. Since today Jesus descended to the dead, we gather here. Therefore, this very place is called a cemetery (κοιμητηριον), so that you may know that those who have passed away and lie here did not die, but rest and sleep. Before the coming of Christ, death was called death. "In the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die" (Gen. 2:17); and again: "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). And David says: "The death of the wicked is dreadful" (Ps. 33:22); and further: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps. 115:6). Job also states: "Death is rest to such a man" (Job 3:23). And it was not only called death, but also hades. Listen to David, who says: "But God will redeem my soul from the power of hades, when He receives me" (Ps. 48:16); and Jacob: "You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to hades" (Gen. 42:38). Such names were given to our end before; but when Christ came and died for the life of the world, death is no longer called death, but rather sleep and repose. And that it is indeed called sleep is evident from what Christ said: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep" (John 11:11). He did not say "he has died," although he was already dead. And to let you know that this term for death as "sleep" was not common, observe how the disciples, upon hearing this, were perplexed and said: "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well" (John 11:12); thus they still did not understand what these words meant. Likewise, Paul speaks to some: "Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Cor. 15:18)? And in another place, he speaks of the deceased: "For we who are alive... will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thess. 4:15); and in yet another place: "Awake, O sleeper" (Eph. 5:14); and to show that he speaks about the dead, he adds: "and arise from the dead." Do you see how everywhere death is referred to as sleep; therefore this place is also called a cemetery, as this very designation is beneficial for us and filled with great wisdom. Therefore, when you accompany the deceased here, do not mourn, for you are not escorting them to death, but to sleep. This title is sufficient for you to find solace in misfortune. Know, therefore, where you are leading them – to the tomb; and when you accompany them – after the death of Christ, when the bonds of death have already been broken. Thus, from both place and time, you can receive great comfort. Our words, in particular, pertain to women, as this gender is predominantly sensitive and prone to melancholy. You have ample remedy against sorrow – the name of the place. This is why we gather here.
